What is Wainscoting?
Wainscoting is decorative paneling that covers the lower portion of a wall. It typically extends to chair-rail height (around 32-36 inches). The material can be beadboard, recessed paneling, or applied trim molding. This calculator focuses on the **material area** and the necessary **top cap/rail molding**.
Calculation Details
- **Panel Material:** The total square footage is calculated by multiplying the **Total Wall Length** by the **Wainscoting Height** (converted to feet).
- **Top Cap Molding:** This is measured in $\mathbf{linear\ feet}$ and is required to finish the top edge of the paneling. The required length is simply the total wall length plus waste.
- **Panel Count:** This is an estimate based on standard material dimensions (e.g., $4\text{ ft} \times 8\text{ ft}$ sheets) to help with ordering.
Important: Door/Window Cutouts
This calculation is based on the total wall length and does not automatically subtract for door or window openings. For highest accuracy, you should manually measure the length of wall covered and enter that value for $\mathbf{Total\ Wall\ Length}$, ignoring the spaces taken up by openings.